EP4006254A1

EP4006254A1 - Roof window comprising sash with outer weather shield

Info

Publication number: EP4006254A1
Application number: EP20210165.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jens Troels Plesner Kristensen; Martin Schwartz WIIG; Jacob Uldahl BERTRAM; Kristian Nitzsch Grønborg; Lars Kristensen; Rasmus Klerke PEDERSEN; Iben Bjerre Østergaard
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2020-11-27
Filing date: 2020-11-27
Publication date: 2022-06-01

Abstract

A roof window (1) configured to be installed in a roof structure of a building with a roof arranged with a roof pitch which is larger than 17° is disclosed. The roof window comprises a sash (2) and a fixation frame (3), wherein the sash (2) is connected to the fixation frame (3) by means of a hinge arrangement (5). The sash (2) is a top hung sash and comprises an insulated glass unit (4). The insulated glass unit (4) comprises a first glass sheet (4a-1) comprising an inwardly facing major surface (4a) for facing the interior of the building and a second glass sheet (4b-1) comprising an outwardly facing major surface (4b) facing away from interior of the building, and wherein the insulating glass unit (4) comprises an inert gas or vacuum in a sealed insulating space (14) between the glass sheets (4a-1, 4b-1). The top hung sash (2) moreover comprises an outer weather shield (6), comprising an interior major surface (6a) and an exterior major surface (6b), wherein the outer weather shield (6) covers the sash opening and wherein an air gap (7) is provided between the interior major surface (6a) of the weather shield (6) and the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4). The roof window may comprise a lifting system (9), wherein a first part (9a) of the lifting system (9) comprising one or more springs (9s) which in the closed position (POS 1) extends along a longitudinal frame member (3a, 3b, 3c) of the fixation frame (3), wherein a lifting force provided by the one or more springs is/are configured to be transferred to the sash (2) when the sash is moved from the closed sash position (POS1) towards the open sash position (POS2). The weather shield (6) extends over and covers elongated parts (3a, 3b, 3c) of the fixation frame (3), and substantially covers the lifting system 9, at least when the sash (2) is arranged in the closed sash position (POS1).

Description

The present disclosure relates to a roof window for installation in a roof structure of a building and to a building comprising one or more roof windows.

Background

The focus on providing more energy efficient windows still increases, also within the specific field relating to roof windows, also known as skylights. In order to achieve more energy efficient windows, it is known to provide windows with an improved insulated glass unit. Here the insulated glass unit may comprise multiple heat insulating gaps placed between glass sheets that are arranged parallel to each other. Also, so called "low-e" coatings may be provided in order to obtain an improved energy efficiency. Moreover, it is known to improve energy efficiency of the window by providing a frame and/or sash of the window that provides improved heat insulation by means of e.g. insulating materials such as polystyrene, a fibre insulation, insulated cavities and/or the like. Moreover, the material(s) of the frame construction and sash of the window may be designed in order to provide reduced heat transfer through the frame construction. Patent document EP2770148B1 discloses a roof window for an inclined roof, which opens outwards and has an insulated glass unit and cover elements covering the frame and sash. It further shows a frame/sash design comprising a lifting spring arrangement connected to the frame and sash.
Roof windows with top hung sash and arranged in inclining roofs with a more steep roof pitch, also may induce issues with respect to weight issues of the sash.
The present disclosure relates e.g. to a roof window/skylight where the sash can be opened and closed, and where the roof window provides good energy efficiency, may be considered cost efficient when compared to the enhanced energy performance and where also sash weight issues may be reduced. Additionally, the present disclosure may help to provide a solution where daylight delivery is improved and/or where lifetime of the roof window may be improved.

Summary

The present disclosure relates to a roof window configured to be installed in a roof structure of a building with a roof arranged with a roof pitch which is larger than 17°. The roof window comprises a sash and a fixation frame, and the sash is connected to the fixation frame by means of a hinge arrangement allowing the sash to be moved relative to the fixation frame between a closed sash position and an open sash position. The sash is a top hung sash and comprises side members, a top member and a bottom member which together encircles a sash opening. An insulated glass unit is installed in and connected to the sash. The insulated glass unit comprises a first glass sheet comprising an inwardly facing major surface for facing the interior of the building and a second glass sheet comprising an outwardly facing major surface for facing away from the interior of the building. The insulating glass unit may comprise an inert gas or vacuum in a sealed insulating space between the glass sheets. The top hung sash moreover comprises an outer weather shield which is transparent to at least visible light and comprises an interior major surface and an exterior major surface. The outer weather shield covers the sash opening and an air gap is provided between the interior major surface of the weather shield and the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit. The outer weather shield is attached to the sash so as to move together with the sash and the insulated glass unit when the sash is moved between the closed sash position and the open sash position. The roof window may in aspects of the present disclosure comprise a lifting system, wherein a first part of the lifting system comprises one or more springs which in the closed sash position extends along a longitudinal frame member of the fixation frame. A lifting force provided by the one or more springs is/are configured to be transferred to the sash when the sash is moved from the closed sash position towards the open sash position.
The weather shield may extend over and cover elongated parts of the fixation frame, and substantially cover the lifting system, at least when the sash is arranged in the closed sash position.
The weather shield covers the insulated glass unit and acts as a shield from rain, snow, leafs, hail, dust and/or other undesired objects or liquids. Hence the weather shield prevents water and undesired objects from entering the air gap and from lying on/striking the outer major surface of the insulated glass unit. The air gap between the weather shield and the insulated glass unit additionally provides a roof window with improved heat insulating capabilities. Experiments indicates that IGU units with many sheets may have a shorter lifetime. The air gap and sash design may help to provide substantially the same or even a better heat insulation with fewer glass sheets (and insulating gaps) of the IGU and consequently may help to provide a better IGU lifetime.
Moreover, the present disclosure may provide a roof window with improved heat insulating properties/energy performance and which is cost efficient when compared to the enhanced energy performance.
Since the weather shield extends over and covers elongated parts of the fixation frame and also may cover the first part of the lifting system, and possibly the entire lifting system when the sash is in the closed position, this provides aesthetic advantages as the exterior surface of parts of the weather shield that overlaps the said parts may be exposed. This may additionally also provide advantages with respect to providing an aesthetically desirable roof window with advantageous water tightening properties. Also the window install may be enhanced (a roof is not an easy workplace) and installation may be performed faster with regard to installing flashings and window metal covers due to the weather shield.
As the sash of the roof window is top hinged/hung, and has the above mentioned constitution, it may be rather heavy and e.g. be difficult or at least unpleasant to handle by a human user when opening the sash (if no electric actuator is present) if the sash is e.g. operated by hand or a mechanical tool by means of which the user can reach the roof window sash. The lifting system may help to solve this issue as it transfers the lifting force to the sash when the sash is moved from the closed sash position towards the open sash position. The lifting system provides advantages in roof windows configured to be arranged in roofs with a roof pitch larger than 17°, such as larger than 25°, for example larger than 35° relative to horizontal.
The sash may comprise sidewalls that provides inwardly facing surfaces which faces and encloses the air gap. Hence the air gap is enclosed by the inwardly facing surfaces of the sash walls, the weather shield and the insulated glass unit.
The air gap preferably has a rectangular shape.
The weather shield may in embodiments of the present disclosure not comprise a low-e coating whereas the insulated glass unit may comprise one or more low-e coatings. In other embodiments, the weather shield may also comprise a low-e coating. It is an advantage that coating combinations can be tailored to local climate requirements, because the weather shield and insulated glass unit are separate and may allow for customized combinations of solar control coatings and/or lowE coatings. Hence, coatings on the weather shield may be adapted to local conditions while the insulated glass unit may be maintained the same.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the first part moreover comprises a connection piece or rail, such as a metal piece or metal rail to which the spring(s) is/are connected/fixed, and wherein this connection piece or rail is attached to the frame arrangement.
It may be preferred that the one or more springs are maintained located along the longitudinal frame member during opening and closing of the sash, but during opening and closing of the sash, the spring(s) expands or is/are compressed dependent on whether the sash is opened or closed. The expansion and compression directions are preferably in a longitudinal direction of the spring(s).
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the lifting system may be configured to induce the lifting force at the upper half such as the upper third of the sash.
The weather shield may in aspects of the present disclosure extend over and cover both the first part, a lifting member such as an arm and a sash connection part of the lifting system, at least when the sash is arranged in the closed sash position.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the lifting system or the fixation frame may comprise a covering wall element that extends along the spring and is placed between the spring and a sash wall when the sash is in the closed position. This sash wall may enclose a part of the air space/gap in the sash. This may provide a safety measure for preventing a human user from unintentionally touching the spring.
It is generally understood that in one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the hinge arrangement and the lifting system may be integrated in the same arrangement, so that the lifting system comprises a part that will act as the hinge arrangement. In other aspects of the present disclosure, these may however be separate.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more springs of the lifting system may be arranged at a location above a first insulated glass unit plane defined by the inwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more springs of the lifting system may be arranged at a location above insulated glass unit planes defined by surfaces of the glass sheets of the insulated glass unit facing and enclosing an insulating space of the insulated glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more springs of the lifting system is/are arranged at a location above an insulated glass unit plane defined by the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit facing the air gap when the sash is in the closed sash position.
It has appeared that the innermost glass sheet(s) facing the interior of the building may provide a rather good heat conductor which leads heat/cold towards the edge of the insulated glass unit. Here, it may constitute a part of a cold bridge which would be unfortunate as the lifting system may constitute a rather capable heat conductor. By moving the parts of the lifting system away from this edge in accordance with e.g. one or more of the above mentioned aspects, heat insulation may be improved. Moreover in accordance with one or more of the above mentioned aspects and/or the below mentioned aspects this may be provided in a space saving manner as the height of the frame may so to say be used for providing a "storage space" for the lifting system component(s) rather than making the frame wider or higher. This may also be an advantage if installing several windows side by side.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the insulated glass unit may comprise just one heat insulating space (comprising a gas such as an inert gas or a vacuum/reduced pressure (in the latter case hence the insulated glass unit is a so called VIG unit) between two glass sheets. Hence, here, the first part of the lifting system is arranged above the major surfaces of the glass sheets facing and enclosing this heat insulating space. In further aspects, in case several insulated spaces are provided in the insulated glass unit by means of three or more glass sheets, the first part of the lifting system, such as comprising the spring, may here arranged above planes defined by major surfaces enclosing at least one of these spaces, and possibly above several sets of planes defined by major surfaces of glass sheets enclosing each their heat insulating space of the insulating glass unit.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more springs of the lifting system may be arranged opposite to the air gap and a sash wall of the sash when the sash is in the closed sash position wherein the sash wall encloses the air gap together with the weather shield and the insulating glass unit.
This sash wall may extend between the weather shield and the insulated glass unit and may provide a side wall with an interior surface facing and enclosing the air gap in the sash between the weather shield and the insulting glass unit. By arranging the lifting system and/or springs in the level of the air gap an advantageous thermal design is provided e.g. with respect to heat insulation, space saving and/or accessibility of the lifting system.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the window sash may be configured to open more than 20 cm such as more than 25 cm, e.g. more than 35 cm from the closed sash position, towards the open sash position.
Hereby a clear and unobstructed view/opening is provided for the building occupant, which is an increasingly important/desirable window feature, in particular for windows with weather shields. Hence, an object such as an un-deformable and/or massive ball having a diameter of about 20 cm or more can enter through the frame opening to the exterior of the window when the sash is opened.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the roof window may be configured to be installed in a roof structure with a roof arranged with a roof pitch which is larger than 25°, for example larger than 35° relative to horizontal.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more springs comprises one or more coil springs and/or metal spring(s), such as one or more metal coil springs, configured to provide the lifting force originating from stored potential energy of the one or more springs.
The majority of the parts of the lifting system may be made from metal such as steel, as rather large forces may be needed to induce the desired lifting forces. This material is, although e.g. strong and wear resistant, unfortunately a capable heat conductor, but issues occurring from this may be reduced by means of one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the lifting system may comprise a force adjustment arrangement which is configured to be adjusted so as to adjust the lifting force provided by the lifting system to the sash.
The force adjustment arrangement may e.g. comprise a system configured to change a pre-tensioning of the spring(s), such as based on the roof pitch. A roof with a steep roof pitch may require a less pre tensioning than a roof with a less steep pitch, in order to assure that the lifting system provides a sufficient lifting force, e.g. to assure that the sash may be moved towards the open position more easily but without the lifting force of the lifting system providing the only force for opening the window.
It is understood that it may generally, in preferred aspects of the present disclosure, be so that the lifting system is a sash opening aiding system so that a human user or alternatively an electric actuator does not need to overcome the entire weight of the sash when opening the window sash. However, such an aiding system should not be set to open the sash without further help from a human user or the like.
The spring(s) of the lifting system may in aspects of the present disclosure be configured to apply a spring force corresponding to above 50 Nm, such as 50-100Nm.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the spring(s) of the lifting system may be configured so as to apply a force to the window sash of at least 5 kg. such as at least 10 kg, such as at least 20 kg, e.g. at least 30 kg.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the first part of the lifting system may be arranged above a heat insulating frame part of the fixation frame, wherein the heat insulating frame part of the fixation frame overlaps the side edge of the insulated glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position.
This may e.g. help to provide a solution with improved heat insulation performance.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the heat insulating frame arrangement may have a thermal conductivity property below 0.2 W/(m^∗K)
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the heat insulating frame part of the fixation frame may extend through a plane defined by the outwardly facing major surface of the insulating glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the first part of the lifting system may be attached to the heat insulating frame arrangement.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the heat insulation material of the heat insulating frame part may comprise one or more of
one or more heat insulating air spaces enclosed by one or more walls of the heat insulating frame arrangement,
a heat insulating polymer material such as an expanded polymer
a wood material and/or
a wool material such as a mineral wool or glass wool material
The heat insulating frame arrangement may be a structural member of the fixation frame. The heat insulating frame arrangement may in one or more aspects of the present disclosure comprise walls having a low thermal conductivity such as a thermal conductivity below 0.23 W/(m^∗K), such as below 0.2 W/(m^∗K), such as below 0.15 W/(m^∗K). A polymer wall material such as a fibre reinforced polymer material, a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material or the like.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, lower parts of the fixation frame may overlap and visually covers a part of the interior major surface of the insulated glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position. Said lower parts may in further embodiments of the present disclosure extend through a plane defined by an inwardly facing surface of a sash wall of the sash which faces and encloses the air gap.
This helps to move the interior/ inwardly facing surface of the sash which faces the air gap in the sash towards the frame and away from the line of sight through the window. This may help to provide that the sash is more visually hidden when the sash is closed, and/or may provide that that more light may pass through the window to the interior of the building thereby providing improved daylight delivery.
The plane through which the lower parts of the fixation frame extends is preferably arranged opposite to a side edge of the insulated glass unit.
The lower parts of the fixation frame may preferably extend from the frame side and with a distance of at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, e.g. at least 5 cm in over plane.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, said lower parts of the fixation frame and the heat insulating frame part may be integral parts of the same elongated frame member.
This may e.g. help to provide a more mechanically simple solution providing good heat insulation and/or good seals.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, said lower parts may enclose and defines the minimum frame opening of the roof window through which light can pass when the sash is in the closed position.
This may provide that the sash construction may be substantially or relatively hidden when the sash is in the closed sash position. And the daylight area is maximized. Daylight is considered a main purpose of a window, so window enhancement may be considered as maximizing daylight input and preferably also minimizing heat loss.
A seal such as an air seal may in aspects of the present disclosure be arranged between a surface of the part of the fixation frame that overlaps and visually covers the lower inwardly facing surface of the sash, and the visually covered inwardly facing surfaces of the sash
A seal such as an air seal may additionally or alternatively, in aspects of the present disclosure, be arranged to abut the interior major surface of the insulated glass unit and be arranged between the insulated glass unit and a surface of the lower part of the fixation frame facing the insulated glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the distance between the interior major surface of the weather shield and the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit may be at least 3 cm, such as at least 5 cm, such as at least 10 cm. Said distance may be defined perpendicular to one or both major surfaces .
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the distance between the interior major surface of the weather shield and the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit may be no more than 30 cm, such as no more than 20 cm, such as at no more than 10 cm. Said distance may be defined perpendicular to one or both of said major surfaces.
This may provide advantages with respect to obtain improved heat insulation and also aesthetic advantages. It may also provide room for equipment such as covering parts, e.g. a blind.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the first part of the lifting system may comprise a sledge system, wherein the sledge system comprises a sledge which is connected directly or indirectly to the spring(s). The one or more springs may be configured to induce the lifting force onto the sledge. The sledge is configured to be displaced along a sledge guidance part. The sledge may be directly or indirectly rotationally connected to a first end of a lifting member, and/or a second end of the lifting member may be rotationally connected to a sash connection device or fixation frame connection device. The sledge may be configured to transfer the lifting force from the one or more springs to the lifting member.
Such a lifting system may be advantageous as it may be space saving and long lasting while also being able to provide the desired lifting force at or near the upper half such as the upper third of the sash.
For example, in aspects of the present disclosure, the first part of the lifting system comprises a sledge system, wherein the sledge system comprises a sledge which is connected directly or indirectly to the spring(s) wherein the one or more springs is/are configured to induce the lifting force onto the sledge, wherein the sledge is configured to be displaced along a sledge guidance part, wherein the sledge is directly or indirectly rotationally connected to a first end of a lifting member, and wherein a second end of the lifting member is rotationally connected to a sash connection device or fixation frame connection device, wherein the sledge is configured to transfer the lifting force from the one or more springs to the lifting member.
In aspects, the sash/frame connection device may be rotationally connected to the sledge guidance part and thereby provide a pivoting motion when the sash is opened and closed.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the lifting system may comprise or be a lifting system as disclosed by applicant in patent document US 5, 689, 916 and/or WO 2019/101279 A1 .
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the exterior of the fixation frame may define an exterior frame plane defined by the outermost surfaces of the fixation frame, and wherein the exterior frame plane extends across and over the frame opening which is encircled by frame members of the frame, wherein at least a part of the insulated glass unit is configured to move from a position above the exterior frame plane and into the frame opening when the sash is moved from the open to the closed sash position, so that the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit is placed in the frame opening below the exterior frame plane with a distance of at least 3 cm from the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit to the exterior frame plane when the sash is in the closed sash position, such as with a distance of at least, 7 cm, such as at least 12 cm to the exterior frame plane.
This may e.g. provide an aesthetically advantageous and/or space saving solution. Additionally or alternatively, it may provide a solution providing improved heat insulation capabilities.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the distance from the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit and to the exterior frame plane may be larger than the insulated glass unit thickness. Insulated glass unit thickness may in aspects be between 17 mm and 60 mm, such as between 20-50mm depending on whether its a double or triple glazing.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the weather shield may be maintained at a position above said frame opening and above the exterior frame plane when the sash is in the closed sash position. This may e.g. provide an aesthetically advantageous and/or space saving solution. Additionally or alternatively it may provide a mechanically simple solution for obtaining an advantageous visual appearance, such as a glass-to-edge design solution.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the outer weather shield may be maintained at a position above the frame opening and above the exterior frame plane when the sash is in the closed sash position and with a distance between the interior surface of the weather shield and the exterior frame plane which is less than the distance between the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit and the exterior frame plane.
This may result in a visually advantageous solution which at the same time provides enhanced heat insulation as the insulated glass unit is lowered into the frame through the exterior frame plane when the sash is in the closed position.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, said distance between the interior surface of the weather shield and the exterior frame plane may be less than half, such as less than 1/4, or less than 1/8 of the distance between the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit and the exterior frame plane.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the interior and exterior major surfaces of the outer weather shield are plane. Additionally or alternatively, the outer weather shield may comprise one or more plane sheets of glass such as one or more plane sheets of annealed or tempered glass. This may e.g. help to provide a more safe solution. For example, the weather shield may in aspects comprise be a single tempered sheet, which in further aspects may be laminated.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the hinge arrangement may provide an axis of rotation for the sash around which the sash is configured to rotate between the open sash position and the closed sash position, wherein said axis of rotation is configured to be coinciding with a rotation plane located opposite and parallel to the outwardly facing surface of the insulated glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position.
This may e.g. be advantageous in relation to providing a more mechanically simple solution, and/or a solution with improved heat insulation capabilities.
The distance between the rotation plane and an exterior frame plane defined by the outermost surfaces of the fixation frame which extends across and over the frame opening provided by the fixation frame may in aspects be smaller than the distance between the outwardly facing surface of the insulated glass unit and the rotation plane.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the roof window comprises a handle to be operated by human hand, and wherein a combination of a pushing force provided by a person on the handle and the force induced by the lifting arrangement/system enables opening the window, such as after an unlocking operation where the sash is unlocked from the frame by the human user.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, at least 80% such as at least 90%, for example at least 95%, such as at least 99% of the entire outer major surface of the weather shield is exposed.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the outer weather shield may have/comprise an exposed outer surface area which is at least 90%, such as at least 95%, such as at least 99% of the area described by the outer side periphery of the roof window.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, at least the width of the weather shield is substantially equal to or larger than the maximum width of the fixation frame.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the weather shield covers the substantially entire fixation frame and the entire sash wherein the outer/exterior major surface of the weather shield defines/provides substantially the entire outwardly facing top surface of the roof window.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the part of the weather shield that overlaps the frame and/or the lifting system, may be exposed and visible from the outside of the window.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the interior surface, and possibly also the exterior surface, of the insulated glass unit, when the sash is closed, may be configured to be located below a plane defined by outer surfaces the roof structure such as roof rafters and/or the roof battens.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the roof window may comprise a first and a second of said sash arranged in the fixation frame. In this aspect, both of the first and second sashes in the closed sash positions are configured to support against a shared elongated frame part of the fixation frame, where the shared elongated frame part comprises parts that overlaps an elongated right sash member of a first of the sashes and moreover overlap an elongated left sash member of the other sash, at least when the sashes are both placed in the closed sash position. In one or more further aspects, the shared elongated frame part may extends in a longitudinal direction which is substantially parallel to longitudinal directions in which the overlapped right and left sash members extends.
This provides that the sash construction may be substantially hidden when the sash is in the closed sash position. And the daylight area is increased. Daylight is the main purpose of a window, so window enhancement may be considered as maximizing daylight input and preferably also reducing the heat loss. In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the lower parts of the shared frame part that overlaps an elongated sash member encloses and defines a part of the respective minimum frame openings of the roof window through which light can pass when the sash is in the closed position.
The lifting systems for helping to lift/open the sashes individually, where the individual sash may be opened without opening the other sash, may comprise one or more springs arranged at/connected to the shared elongated frame part. The shared elongated frame part may hence here support a lifting system part for both the sashes. Additionally or alternatively, the lifting systems may comprise spring(s) arranged at the side parts of the frame between which the shared frame part is arranged.
A seal such as an air seal may in aspects of the present disclosure be arranged between a surface of the part of the fixation frame that overlaps and visually covers the lower inwardly facing surface of the sash (such as the insulated glass unit and/or a sash wall part. For example, a seal such as an air seal may additionally or alternatively, in aspects of the present disclosure, be arranged to abut the interior major surface of the insulated glass unit and be arranged between the insulated glass unit and a surface of the lower part of the fixation frame facing the insulated glass unit when the sash is in the closed sash position.
It is understood that the sash may e.g. be configured to support against the shared elongated frame part of the fixation frame by providing that a sash profile support against the shared elongated frame part, and/or by providing that a major surface of the insulated glass unit supports against the shared elongated frame part. A gasket may here in further aspects be placed between the sash and the shared elongated frame part.
The present disclosure moreover relates to a building comprising a roof structure with a roof pitch which is larger than 17° such as larger than 25°, wherein the roof of the building comprises one or more roof windows according to any of the claims and/or the above mentioned aspects or combinations thereof installed therein.
Additionally, the present disclosure in a still further aspect relates to a roof window configured to be installed in a roof structure of a building with a roof arranged with a roof pitch which is larger than 17°. The roof window comprises a sash and a fixation frame, and the sash is connected to the fixation frame by means of a hinge arrangement allowing the sash to be moved relative to the fixation frame between a closed sash position and an open sash position. The sash is a top hung sash and comprises side members, a top member and a bottom member which together encircles a sash opening. An insulated glass unit is installed in and connected to the sash. The insulated glass unit comprises a first glass sheet comprising an inwardly facing major surface for facing the interior of the building and a second glass sheet comprising an outwardly facing major surface for facing away from the interior of the building. The insulating glass unit may comprise an inert gas or vacuum in a sealed insulating space between the glass sheets. The top hung sash moreover comprises an outer weather shield which is transparent to at least visible light and comprises an interior major surface and an exterior major surface. The outer weather shield covers the sash opening and an air gap is provided between the interior major surface of the weather shield and the outwardly facing major surface of the insulated glass unit. The outer weather shield is attached to the sash so as to move together with the sash and the insulated glass unit when the sash is moved between the closed sash position and the open sash position. This still further aspect may e.g. be combined with e.g. previously described aspects and/or aspects defined in the claims, such as in some aspects where the lifting system is omitted from the window.

Figures

Aspects of the present disclosure will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which:

fig. 1 :: Illustrates a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure,
fig. 2a-2b :: illustrates a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprising an outer weather shield and an insulated glass unit, and a lifting system,
fig. 3a-3b :: illustrates a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure seen from the exterior side and interior side respectively,
figs. 4a-4b :: illustrates a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure where the roof window comprises a first and a second sash arranged in a fixation frame, such as a common fixation frame arrangement,
figs. 5a-5b :: illustrates a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure where the roof window sash is top hinged/hung,
figs. 6a-6b :: Illustrates a lifting system to be installed in a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and
fig. 7 :: illustrates a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure with envisaged view planes illustrated.

Detailed description

In relation to the figures described below, where the present disclosure may be described with reference to various embodiments, without limiting the same, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are schematic and not to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for e.g. teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.
Fig. 1 illustrates a roof window 1 installed in a roof structure with an outer roofing 30 of a building, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
The roofing 30 is preferably arranged with a roof pitch, which is larger than 17°, such as larger than 25°, for example larger than 35° compared to horizontal. For example, the roof pitch may be between 17° and 90°, such as between 17° and 85° (see also fig. 6a). As will be described in more details below, the roof window 1 comprises an outer weather shield 6, which is transparent to at least visible light and comprises an interior major surface 6a and an exposed, exterior, major surface 6b, which may also be referred to the weather side surface which may be exposed to rain, dust, hails, wind and the like.
The roof window comprises side areas 11a, 11b, a top area 11c and a bottom area 11d.
The window 1 comprises a movable sash and a fixation frame (described in more details below) and the sash 2 is in embodiments of the present disclosure top hinged/hung so that the bottom part of the sash opens outwards and away from the interior of the building when the sash is opened.
Fig 2a-2b illustrates schematically a cross sectional view of a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The roof window 1 comprises a sash 2 and a fixation frame 3. The sash 2 is connected to the fixation frame 3 by means of a hinge arrangement (not illustrated in fig. 2a-2b see e.g. figs 5a-5c,6a-6b) which allows the sash 2 to be moved relative to the fixation frame 3 between a closed sash position POS1 and an open sash position POS2 as illustrated in figs 2a and 2b respectively.
The sash 2 comprises side members 8a, a top member and a bottom member which together encircles a sash opening between these members, and an insulated glass unit 4 is installed in and connected to the sash 2. The insulated glass unit 4 comprises an inwardly facing major surface 4a for facing the interior of the building and an outwardly facing major surface 4b for facing away from interior of the building. The insulated glass unit 4 in figs. 2a-2b comprises a single insulating sealed space 14 enclosed by two parallel glass sheets 4a-1, 4b-1. The insulated glass unit 4 may also in further embodiments (not illustrated) be a triple (or more) insulated glass unit, i.e. an insulated glass unit with two outer panes and at least one inner pane, and where an insulating cavity is placed between the inner pane and a first of the outer panes, and wherein a further insulating cavity is placed between the inner pane and the other outer pane.
It is generally understood that the insulated glass unit 4 may preferably be laminated (not illustrated) by means of an interlayer and a lamination glass sheet/pane, such as at the interior surface, and in that case, the lamination pane may comprise the inwardly facing major surface 4a for facing the interior of the building.
The sash 2 moreover comprises the outer weather shield 6, which is transparent to at least visible light and comprises an interior major surface 6a and an exterior major surface 6b. The outer weather shield is configured to cover the sash opening and an air gap 7 is provided between the interior major surface 6a of the weather shield 6 and the outwardly facing major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit 4. An inner sash wall 8a encloses the air gap 7, and hence the air gap is enclosed by the insulated glass unit 4, the outer weather shield 6 and top, and side, top and bottom members of the sash 8a-8d. The sash wall 8a2 of the sash wall member 3a extends from the glass unit 4 to the weather shield 6 provides a sash wall surface 29 facing the sash and provides a side wall enclosing the air gap/space 7). Similar sash members may be provided at the other side, bottom and/or top parts of the sash. Light can pass through the air gap/air space 7 from the outside through the weathers shield 6, to the glass unit 4 and to the inside.
One or more of the panes of the insulated glass unit 4 and/or the weather shield 6 may in embodiments of the present disclosure comprise one or more low-e or solar control coatings. The weather shield may in embodiments of the present disclosure not comprise a low-e coating whereas the insulated glass unit may comprise one or more low-e coatings.
The insulated glass unit 4 may be of the type with an inert gas filled, heat insulating sealed space 14, or it may be a vacuum insulated glass unit.
The weather shield 6 may comprise a single layer glass unit such as a laminated or un-laminated single layer glass unit. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the weather shield may be an insulated unit such as an insulated glass unit as e.g. described above. The weather shield may in embodiments of the present disclosure comprise one or more tempered glass sheets such as a thermally tempered glass sheet(s).
As can be seen from e.g. fig. 2a and 2b, the outer weather shield 6 is connected to the sash 2 so as to move together with the sash 2, and the insulated glass unit 4 when the sash 2 is moved between the closed sash position POS1 and the open sash position POS2.
The weather shield 6 is in fig. 2a-2b connected to the sash 2 by means of an adhesive 16 arranged at the interior surface 6a of the weather shield. In embodiments weather shield 6 has a skirt portion at the perimeter and the skirt portion extends down and away from the surface 6a. The weather shield 6 can be connected to the sash 2 through an intermediate connection profile. The sash or the optional connection profile further may comprise a skirt portion and/or hinge portion etc.
Alternatively, a mechanical fixation solution such as a clamping solution or a bracket solution may be provided.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, (not illustrated) the weather shield may be attached to an elongated connection piece extending along the perimeter of the weather shield, by means of an adhesive. This connection piece is then connected to the sash by means of mechanical fasteners (e.g. pop rivets, screws, clamps or the like).
In still further embodiments of the present disclosure, a further hinge arrangement (not illustrated) may connect the weather shield and the sash, and allow the weather shield to be moved relative to the sash 2 and the insulated glass unit 4 between a closed weather shield position and an open weather shield position. Here, when the outer weather shield 6, also referred to as "weather shield" in the present disclosure, is in the closed weather shield position, the air gap in the sash 7 is substantially sealed/closed and enclosed by the weather shield, the insulated glass unit and the sash, thereby creating a heat insulating air space in the sash 2. On the contrary, when weather shield is arranged in the open weather shield position while supported by the further hinge arrangement, access to the air gap 7 is allowed through the thereby provided opening. Hereby the surfaces 4b, 6a may be cleaned and/or access to equipment or parts that are available in or through the air gap is granted.
The distance D1 between the interior major surface 6a of the weather shield 6 and the outwardly facing major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit 4, is at least 3 cm, such as at least 5 cm, such as at least 10 cm. This distance D1 is defined perpendicular to at least one of the major surfaces 4b, 6a and in the present example of figs. 2a and 2b, substantially perpendicular to both surfaces. The distance D1 may in further embodiments be no more than 30 cm, such as no more than 20 cm, such as at no more than 10 cm.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the hinge arrangement 5 is arranged at the top of the window so that the sash 2 is top hinged/hung (see e.g. figs 5a-5b).
As can be seen in fig. 2a, the weather shield 6 may be maintained at a position above the frame opening 20 and above an exterior frame plane P1 when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position POS1, and with a distance D3 between the interior surface 6a of the weather shield and the exterior frame plane P1. The exterior frame plane P1 extends across and over the frame opening 20 which is encircled by top, bottom and side members 3a (comprising the elongated frame wall element 25 and the elongated frame parts 31 and 3x) of the fixation frame when the sash 2 is in the closed position. The distance D2 is defined between the exterior frame plane P1 and the outwardly facing major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit. The distance D2 may provide the effect that the insulated glass unit 4 is below the exterior frame plane P1 even though the sash 8 opens outwards.
The distance D3 is less than the distance D2 between the outwardly facing major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit 4 and the exterior frame plane P1.
As seen in figs. 2a-2c, the exterior frame plane P1 is defined by exterior outer hard frame surfaces 15 of the frame, where the surfaces 15 faces the weather shield in the closed weather shield position (excluding any resilient gaskets), and the plane P1 may preferably be parallel to the surfaces 4a, 4b of the insulated glass unit 4 when the sash is in the closed position.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the distance D3 between the interior surface 6a of the weather shield 6 and the exterior frame plane P1 is less than half, such as less than 1/4, or less than 1/8 of the distance D2 between the outwardly facing major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit 4 and the exterior frame plane P1 when the sash (2) is in the closed position POS1.
However, at least a part of the insulated glass unit 4 is configured to move from a position above the exterior frame plane P1 and into the frame opening 20 when the sash is moved from the open POS2 to the closed POS1 sash position, so that the outwardly facing major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit 4 is placed in the frame opening 20 below the exterior frame plane P1 with a distance D2 to the plane P1. This distance D2 may in certain embodiments be at least 3 cm when the sash is in the closed sash position, such as with a distance D2 of at least, 7 cm, such as at least 12 cm from the exterior frame plane D2.
In embodiments the distance D2 is at least larger than the insulated glass unit 4 thickness.
Insulated glass units typically are 20-50mm depending on whether its a double or triple glazing. The thickness of the insulated glass unit 4, including an optional lamination glass, may in embodiments of the present disclosure be between 20 mm and 90 mm, such as between 20 mm and 60 mm.
As can be seen in the figures 2a, the weather shield 6 is maintained at a position above the frame opening 20 and above the exterior frame plane P1 when the sash is in the closed sash position POS2.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more outer edges 12 of the weather shield 6, such as at least two, preferably at least three, outer edges of the weather shield 6 may be substantially flush with or extend out over an outermost side surface 11 of the fixation frame 3 which faces away from the frame opening. If a protection wall (not illustrated) is placed opposite to the outer edge(s) 12 (e.g. to protect the edge of the glass material of the weather shield), this may be flush with or extend out over the outermost side surface 11 of the fixation frame 3. Such a protection wall may be considered part of the weather shield. The overlapping sash part 8a3 may in embodiments of the present disclosure (not illustrated) provide such a narrow protection wall, and e.g. have a thickness corresponding substantially to (or below) the thickness of the sash member wall members 8a2.
Regarding the construction of the sash, the sash wall members 8a (and the other sash walls 8b, 8c, 8d described and/or illustrated in the present disclosure) which comprises wall parts 8a2 enclosing the air space/gap 7 may be a relatively thin, plate shaped and preferably massive/solid wall that may comprise e.g. a polymer material, a fibre material such as glass fibres or carbon fibres, or alternatively a metal or the like. The thickness of the sash wall(s) 8a may be below 7 mm, such as below 4 mm, e.g. below 2 mm. The material of the sash walls may be configured to have a sufficient strength up to at least 90 °C. The material of the wall parts 8a1, 8a3 and/or 8a2 may have substantially the same thickness. The thermal conductivity of the material of the sash wall members may in some embodiments of the present disclosure be below the thermal conductivity of aluminium, such as at least 40% or 60% below the thermal conductivity if aluminium.
The sash wall 8a may as illustrated, in embodiments of the present disclosure, comprise a support part 8a1 extending in under the insulated glass unit and which is attached to the insulated glass unit by means of an adhesive 21. Alternatively, the insulated glass unit may be clamped (not illustrated) between wall parts of the sash wall 8a. In still further embodiments, a separate part may also hold the insulated glass unit and connect it to the sash wall 8a (not illustrated). The sash wall 8a1 may also in other embodiments be arranged at the surface 4b instead, e.g. by means of an adhesive.
The sash wall 8a moreover comprises or is connected to a frame overlapping sash part 8a3 extending in over the outer frame surface 15 of the frame which faces the weather shield.
In fig. 2a 2b, the frame overlapping sash part 8a3 is provided by a wall which is bonded to the sash wall 8a by means of an adhesive 22, but in other embodiments, this frame overlapping sash part 8a3 may he integrated in the sash wall so that the sash wall is a single piece comprising parts 8a1, 8a2 and 8a3. Also in other embodiments one or more sash parts 8a1, 8a2 and 8a3 may be extruded and connected by extruded groove and tongue features.
As can be seen, the sash wall 8a2 extends opposite to the side edge 4c of the insulated glass unit 4 to, between the fixation frame 3 and the said side edge 4c. The sash wall 8a2 extends along the fixation frame 3 opposite to an interior surface of the fixation frame enclosing the frame opening 20 the when the sash is in the closed position POS1.
The fixation frame comprises covering parts 31 that extends in over and overlaps the inner surface 4a of the insulated glass unit 4, preferably at both side, top and bottom parts of the glass unit when the sash 2 is in the closed position, The sash and/or the insulated glass unit (as illustrated) presses towards an air seal/gasket 23 such as a resilient rubber or foam seal, which is placed between the covering part 31 and the interior major surface 4a (as illustrated) and/or (not illustrated) the support part 8a1.
The insulated glass unit hence has a height and/or width which is larger than the minimum height and/or width of the frame aperture 20a, and it may hence in embodiments of the present disclosure be so that it is not the sash 2, but instead the fixation frame 3 which, by means of the overlapping covering part 31, provides the line of sight LS through the window and describes the minimum aperture of the window through which light can pass.
The lower part 31 of the fixation frame hence overlaps and visually covers the inwardly facing surface of the sash wall 8a1 when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position.
In figs 2a-2c, the fixation frame 3 comprises an L shape where the uppermost part provides the plane P1, and the lowermost part is provided by the overlapping covering part 31 of the fixation frame.
As can be seen, the lower part of the fixation frame providing the part 31 may be solid and made from e.g. wood, but in other embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be a hollow part made from a plastic/polymer material such as PVC or the like. In case this part is hollow, it may comprise an insulating air space or an insulation material such as glass wool, mineral wool, an expanded polymer, or the like.
The overlapping part 31 may comprise a groove/recess 24 in the surface facing the insulated glass unit, where the groove is configured to for receiving a part of the support part 8a1 of the sash 2 when the sash is closed POS1.
An outer frame wall element 25, which may be provided by a plate shaped, e.g. solid, material, may provide the outermost side surface 11 of the fixation frame 3. This wall 25 may also comprise/provide the upper surface 15 defining the plane P1. This frame wall element 25 may provide a lip 25a extending along (e.g. parallel to) the plane P1 and in a direction towards the frame opening 20. A resilient gasket part 26 may be arranged to interact with e.g. this lip 25a in order to provide air and/or water tightness. The gasket 26 may be attached to the sash 2 or to the frame 3.
The lower parts 31 of the fixation frame 3 overlaps and visually covers a part of the interior major surface 4a of the insulated glass unit 4 when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position, and moreover, the said lower parts 31 extends through a plane P3 defined by an inwardly facing surface 29 of a sash wall 8a2 of the sash 2 which faces and encloses the air gap 7 when the sash is in the closed position.
The lower parts 31 of the fixation frame 3 may preferably extend from the frame side S1 (S1 is located at the side of the plane P3 furthest away from the minimum frame opening and line of sight) and with a distance D4 of at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, e.g. at least 5 cm in over the plane P3, (distance D4 is determined perpendicular to the plane P3). The distance is defined between the plane P3 and the line of sight plane LS which is defined perpendicular to the insulated glass unit IGU.
As can be seen, the weather shield 6 overlaps the frame 3 and the sash 2, and is larger than the insulated glass unit 4. The weather shield 6 may e.g. provide a "glass-to edge" impression at one or more of the sides, bottom and/or upper areas 11a-11d (see fig. 1) from the exterior of the building.
The Insulated glass unit 4 is moreover larger than the minimum frame opening 20a defined by the fixation frame 3, which frame opening is enclosed by the plane/ Line of sight LS defined by the frame.
The width and/or height of the air gap 7 defined by the inwardly facing surfaces 29 of the sash walls 8a2 of the sash 2 which faces and encloses the air gap 7 (See plane P3) is larger than the width and/or height of the minimum frame opening defined by the fixation frame 3, which is enclosed by the line of sight LS defined by the frame.
In order to visually hide the frame 3 and/or the sash parts 2 (when seen from the exterior), a masking 40 may be provided by means of a coating, .g. a ceramics coating, a paint, a foil or the like. This may be arranged to mask and cover the frame 3 and/or a part of the sash 2. The masking 40 may be arranged proximate the weather shield, e.g. at or opposite to one or both of the exterior surfaces 6a, 6b.
As can be seen from fig. 2b, the sash 2 can be moved from the closed sash position POS1 to the open sash position POS2 and vice versa. This may in embodiments of the present disclosure provide an opening of the window where a part of the insulated glass unit moves through the exterior frame plane P1. The window sash 2, such as at least the bottom part of the sash, may be configured to open more than 20 cm such as more than 25 cm, e.g. more than 35 cm from the closed sash position, towards the open sash position.
The opening and closing may be provided manually by hand (or stick for interacting with a locking mechanism of the window for locking and unlocking the sash when in the closed position POS1). Alternatively, an actuator such as a linear actuator, e.g. a spindle or chain actuator may be arranged in the window 1 (not illustrated) and operate the sash between the opening and closing position based on wired or wireless command signals (e.g. electromagnetic control signals) from a remote controller or the like.
The roof window 1 moreover comprises a lifting system 9. A first part 9a of the lifting system 9 comprising one or more springs 9s and is connected to the fixation frame 3. The first part along the longitudinal frame member 3a of the fixation frame. The lifting system 9 is configured to provide a lifting force induced by the one or more springs. This lifting force is/are configured to be transferred to a lifting member (9b - not illustrated in figs 2a-2b) of the lifting system 9. The lifting member 9b is configured to transfer the lifting force from the springs(s) to the sash 2 when the sash is moved from the closed sash position POS1 towards the open sash position POS2.
The one or more springs 9s may comprise one or more coil springs, such as one or more metal coil springs, configured to provide the lifting force originating from stored potential energy of the one or more springs.
Additionally or alternatively, the lifting system 9 may comprise a force adjustment arrangement (not illustrated)which is configured to be adjusted so as to adjust the lifting force provided by the lifting system 9 to the sash. This force adjustment arrangement may e.g. comprise a pre-tensioning system where the pre-tensioning of the spring(s) 9s may be adjusted/set by a human user to accommodate for e.g. the angle with which the window is arranged in the roof structure of the building. A steeper roof pitch may call for a different pre-tensioning than a lower roof pitch, as gravity may provide that the sash may be heavier or easier to open depending on the roof pitch.
Alternatively, the lifting system may be preconfigured to operate within a predetermined roof pitch range, and different lifting arrangements and/or spring(s) 9s may be installed dependent on the roof pitch.
As can be seen from figs 2a and 2b, the weather shield 6 extends over and covers the elongated part 3a (and preferably also another side part and top and/or bottom part of the fixation frame as described in more details later on) of the fixation frame 3. The weather shield also covers the first part 9a of the lifting system, at least when the sash 2 is arranged in the closed sash position POS). The weather shield may in embodiments of the present disclosure be configured to cover substantially the entire lifting system 9, e.g. so that the lifting system is placed beneath/opposite to the interior major surface 6a of the weather shield 6.
The first part 9a of the lifting system 9 is placed between an exterior wall part 25 of the fixation frame and the sash wall 8a2 of the sash that encloses the air gap 7, when the sash is in the closed sash position. A covering wall element 80 extends along the spring 9s and is placed between the spring 9s and the sash wall 8a2. Hence, when the sash is opened, the covering wall element 80 will still cover the side of the spring of the first part 9a of the lifting system 9, and protect human user from touching and being clamped between movable parts of the lifting system.
The covering wall element 80 may be provided by a wall that is integrated in a part of the lower part of the fixation frame, e.g. by extrusion or pultrusion, but it may also be provided by a separate, e.g. U-shaped (as illustrated) or L-shaped, wall component that is attached to the frame 3. In further aspects, the covering wall element 80 may be a part of the lifting system 9, and may e.g., be part of a fixation component of the lifting system that is used for attaching the lifting system 9 to the fixation frame 3.
The one or more springs 9s of the lifting system may preferably as illustrated in fig. 2a, be arranged, e.g. in order to obtain improve heat insulation, at least at a location above a first insulated glass unit plane Pa defined by the inwardly facing major surface 4a of the insulated glass unit 4 when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position POS1. In fig. 2a, the one or more springs 9s of the lifting system, according to further embodiments, is/are moreover arranged at a location above insulated glass unit 4 planes Pc, Pd defined by the surfaces 4c, 4d of the glass sheets 4a-1, 4b-1 of the insulated glass unit 4 that faces and encloses an insulating space 14 of the insulated glass unit. It may even in still further embodiments of the present disclosure be preferred that the one or more springs 9s of the lifting system 9 is/are arranged at a location above the insulated glass unit plane Pb defined by the outwardly facing major surface 4a of the insulated glass unit 4 facing the air gap 7 when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position POS1. This may however depend on the thickness and/or number of insulating spaces 14 in the insulated glass unit.
When the spring(s) 9s, which is/are often made from a relatively large amount of metal, is/are arranged above the one or more planes Pa, Pc, Pd, Pb defined by major surfaces of the insulated glass unit 4 as mentioned above, the spring(s) are placed further away from the interior glass sheet 4a. The edges of this glass sheet 4a have shown to be a rather significant "cold bridge", and when the edge of the insulated glass unit 4 extends in over the overlapping frame part 31, it may be advantageous to place the spring(s) away from this edge to improve heat insulation of the window. As the sash 2 extends into the frame below the plane P1 and into the frame opening, the frame may provide space next to the insulating glass unit and/or next to the air gap 7 so the spring(s) 9s to be placed further away from the edges of the glass sheet 4a in a space saving manner.
In fig. 2a, the one or more springs 9s of the lifting system 9 is/are arranged opposite to the air gap 7 and the sash wall 8a2 when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position (POS1).
The first part of the lifting system 9a, including the spring, is arranged above a heat insulating frame part 3x of the fixation frame. This heat insulating frame part 3x of the fixation frame overlaps the side edge 4c of the insulated glass unit 4 when the sash is in the closed sash position POS1. The first part 9a of the lifting system may be attached to the heat insulating frame arrangement 3x by means of fastening menas (not illustrated) such as for example an adhesive and/or mechanical fasteners such as screws, pop rivets and/or or a clamping system. The heat insulating frame part 3x that overlaps the end edge 4c surface helps to provide an improved heat insulation between the edge of the glass sheet 4a and the lifting system.
The heat insulating frame part 3x of the fixation frame extends through the insulated glass unit planes Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, defined by the major surfaces of the insulating glass unit 4, when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position POS1.
This may be varied, and in some embodiments of the present disclosure (not illustrated) the heat insulating frame part 3x may extend through

only the plane Pa, and not planes Pc, Pd, Pb
only the planes Pa, Pc and not planes Pd, Pb
Only the planes Pa, Pc, Pd but not plane Pb.

gaps

frame part

major surface

glass unit

The heat insulation material of the heat insulating frame arrangement 3x in some embodiments comprise one or more heat insulating air spaces enclosed by one or more walls (not illustrated) of the heat insulating frame arrangement. Hence, at least the heat insulating frame part 3x beneath the spring(s) 9s may be hollow and insulated by means of air in the cavity/ies inside the frame part 3x.
Additionally or alternatively, the heat insulation may comprise a heat insulating expanded polymer material such as a polystyrene material, e.g. placed in the above mentioned cavity/ies
The heat insulating part 3x may also be substantially massive and comprise wood material which may comprise acceptable heat insulating capabilities.
The heat insulation may also comprise a wool material such as a mineral wool or glass wool material.
The lower part 31, of the fixation frame 3 and the heat insulating frame part 3x that overlaps the end edge 4c surface helps to provide an improved heat insulation between the edge of the glass sheet 4a and the lifting system.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the fixation frame may be integral parts of the same elongated frame member 3a, and hence this frame member comprises the overlapping part 31 and the heat insulating part 3x for extending along and covering the interior major surface 4a and at least a part of or the entirety of the side edge 4c surfaces extending between edges of the major surfaces 4a, 4b.
It is understood that the fixation frame member 3a may be considered as comprising the overlapping part 31, the heat insulating frame part 3x and possibly also one or more of the parts provided by the outer frame wall element 25. It is generally to be understood that the frame wall element 25 may in further embodiments of the present disclosure (not illustrated) be an integral part of the same frame profile together with the overlapping part 31 and the heat insulating part 3x. For example, the same frame part may comprise the lip 25a integrated therein. The lip may extend partly (as illustrated) or fully in over the spring(s) 9s.
The spring(s) 9s of the lifting system/lifting arrangement may in embodiments of the present disclosure be configured to apply a spring force corresponding to above 50 Nm, such as 50-100Nm. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the spring(s) of the lifting system may be configured to apply a force to the window sash of at least 5 kg. such as at least 10 kg, such as at least 20 kg, e.g. at least 30 kg.
Fig. 3a illustrates the roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure, where the roof window 1 is installed in a roofing 30 of a roof structure. The window is seen towards the weather shield with a view perpendicular to the plane P1 (see fig. 2a-2c) and the sash is in the closed position POS1. For simplicity, the gaskets 23 and other parts are not illustrated in fig. 3a.
A masking device or coating or other covering parts (not illustrated) such as a profile(s), e.g. arranged at the upper surface 4b of the insulated glass unit, may be arranged to cover/visually hide the sash frame parts 31 when seen from the exterior of the window.
As can be seen, the masking 40 hides a part of the frame and sash and is arranged around the periphery of the window 1. The lines of sight LS providing the minimum frame opening by means of the frame edges 27 of the overlapping lower parts 31 of the fixation frame 3 that overlaps the insulated glass unit at the interior surface 4a may as illustrated in principle be visible, as the inner periphery 41 of the masking 40 (and the sash walls 8a2 - see figs 2a-2c) may define an opening for light to enter that is larger than the minimum frame opening defined/enclosed by the edges 27. Hence, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the sash may define an opening for a view through the insulated glass unit 4 that is larger than the minimum frame opening size, and hence the view through the panes of the insulated lass unit 4 may be restricted by the frame 3 (due to the overlapping parts 31) rather than by the sash 2.
Fig. 3b illustrates a roof window 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure, installed in the roof of a building. Here, it can be seen that the inner finishing drywall 28 may be arranged opposite to the overlapping part 31 of the frame, preferably between the line of sight LS and the plane P3 as illustrated. Hence, a large part of the frame and sash, and in some cases even parts of the insulated glazing 4, may be overlapped by the interior wall structure of the building. 32 are the inner ceiling/wall sheets providing the ceiling or inclining wall of the building interior.
Ref. 20a is the minimum frame opening (length and width respectively of the minimum frame opening) provided by the fixation frame.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the length/height L1 and/or the width W1 of the weather shield 6 are both larger than the length and/or width of the sash opening provided between the inner wall surfaces 29 (not illustrated in figs 3a-3b) of the sash which encloses the air gap 7.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer perimeter of the weather shield itself, defined by the outer edges of the weather shield, is substantially equal to or larger than the maximum outer perimeter described by the sash.
At least 80% such as at least 90%, for example at least 95%, such as at least 99% of the entire outer major surface 6b of the weather shield may be exposed and visible.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the weather shield has a length L1 and width W1 providing that an exposed outer surface 6b area of the weather shield 6 which is at least 90%, such as at least 95%, such as at least 99% of the area described by the outer side periphery 11, 11a-11d of the roof window 1.
Figs. 4a and 4b illustrates a cross sectional view trough a roof window 1 according to further embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of simplicity, several of the reference numbers have been omitted from these figures. The roof window 1 here comprises a first and a second sash arranged in the same fixation frame 3. The sash constitution is substantially similar to the embodiments showing in figs. 2a-2c. However, the fixation frame 3 comprises a shared elongated frame part 50 which overlaps (see 51) an elongated right sash member 8b of a first of the sashes and moreover overlap an elongated left sash member 8a of the other sash, at least when the sashes are both placed in the closed sash position. The shared elongated frame part 50 extends in a longitudinal direction which is substantially parallel to longitudinal directions in which the overlapped right and left sash members 8a, 8b extends.
Each of the first and second sashes comprises an insulated glass unit 4 and an outer weather shield 6 connected to the respective sash so as to move together with the respective sash 2 and the insulated glass unit 4 when the respective sash 2 is moved between the closed sash position POS1 and the open sash position POS2 as previously explained. In fig. 4a, the sashes may be top hinged/hung and may be configured to pivot outwards away from the interior of the building, see also figs 5a- 5b.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the sash walls 8a, 8b of the side parts (and possibly also the bottom part) of the sash 2 may provide a Z shape by means the sash wall members 8a1, 8a2, 8a3. See e.g. fig. 2a-2c and 4a-4b. The Z shapes may be inverted for the right and left side of the sash, see e.g. fig. 5a-5b.
Both of the first and second sashes, when in the closed sash positions POS1, are configured to support against a shared elongated frame part 50 of the fixation frame 3. It is naturally understood as that one or more resilient air seal/gasket 23 as previously explained (see e.g. figs 2a-2c), may be provided on the sash, frame part 50 and/or insulated glass unit between the shared elongated frame part and the respective sash or/or insulated glass unit.
It is generally understood that the sashes may e.g. be configured to support against the shared elongated frame part 50 of the fixation frame by providing that a sash profile(s) 8a, 8b, e.g. the parts 8a1, 8b1 support against the shared elongated frame part (not illustrated), and/or by providing that a major surface 4a of the insulated glass unit support against the shared elongated frame part. As illustrated in the example of fig.4, the sash may be configured to support against the shared elongated frame part 50 of the fixation frame by providing that the interior major surface 4a of the insulated glass unit supports against the shared elongated frame part 50. Support may also include position blocks (not shown) which are small fitting blocks commonly placed between the frame and sash to ensure tolerances and warp is correctly dealt with and whereby the sash 2 is guided and positioned in correct and centred fashion inside the frame 3.
The shared elongated frame part 50 is connected to top and bottom members of the frame (not illustrated), and overlaps an elongated right sash member 8b of a first of the sashes (in this embodiment the sash to the left) and moreover overlaps an elongated left sash member 8a of the other sash, at least when the sashes 2 are both placed in the closed sash position POS1.
The shared elongated frame part 50 extends in a longitudinal direction which is substantially parallel to longitudinal directions in which the overlapped opposing right and left sash members 8a, 8b extends in the closed position.
In fig. 4a and 4b, the shared elongated frame part 50 overlaps and visually covers a part of the interior major surface 4a of the insulated glass unit 4 when the sashes 2 are in the closed sash position. Hence when opening the sashes, more of the insulated glass units may be exposed.
The overlapping parts 51 (that may e.g. correspond to or be similar to the overlapping part 31 as described above) of the shared elongated frame part 50 extends through each their parallel plane P3 that are defined by oppositely directed surfaces 29 of sash walls of the right and left sash members 8a, 8b. These oppositely directed surfaces 29 faces and encloses a part of the air gap 7 between the insulated glass unit 4 and the weather shied 6 of the respective sashes.
Hence, the elongated frame part 50 comprises overlapping parts 51 that overlaps each their respective air gap 7. Moreover, the shared frame part 50 comprises a centre part 50c carrying/supporting and/or comprising right and left frame parts of the fixation frame for interacting with right and left parts of the sashes 2. The centre part 50c extends between the air gaps 7 and walls 8a, 8b of the sashes when the sashes are in the closed position and may at the top surface define or abut a part of the exterior frame plane P1.
The centre part 50c may as illustrated comprise a heat insulating part 50x that may correspond in structure and/or function to the heat insulating part 3x as e.g. explained above in relation to fig. 2a-2b. The first part of the lifting systems 9, comprising the spring(s) for the respective sash 2 may be placed above this heat insulating part 50x of the shared frame member 50, or may alternatively be placed at the left and/or right side of the window above the parts 3x.
At the top, the centre part 50c may comprise frame part or parts configured to interact with water and/or air seals/gaskets 26 to assure water and/or air tightness when the sashes is7are in the closed position as also explained in relation to fig. 2a-2b.
The sashes 2 comprises parts that each overlaps the upper surfaces of the centre part 50c of the shared frame part 50, and the same does the weather shield 6. Thereby, a low distance D5 between opposing edges 12 of the weather shield may be obtained. The distance D5 may preferably be below 10 cm, such as below 5 cm, e.g. below 3 cm and is determined perpendicular to the edge 12 surfaces.
The shared elongated frame part 50 extends in a longitudinal direction which is substantially parallel to longitudinal directions in which the overlapped right and left sash members 8a, 8b extends. The shared elongated frame part 50 may be considered a framework bar that extends, e.g. in approx. the middle of the fixation frame parallel to the side parts of the fixation frame and extending between the top and bottom parts of the fixation frame.
A drain channel (not illustrated) may in embodiments of the present disclosure be arranged underneath the space between the edges 12 in order to guide water away from the window 1. This drain channel may be provided by an U-shaped profile or the like.
As can be seen in fig. 4a, both sashes 2 are in the closed positions POS1. In fig. 4b however, one of the sashes 2, in this case the leftmost, is in closed position POS1 whereas the other is in the open position POS2.
It is generally understood that in embodiments of the present disclosure, equipment such as covering equipment, e.g. a blind such as a roller blind or a venetian blind, one or more electrical actuators or batteries for operating the blind, comprise photovoltaic panels and/or the like may be placed in the air gap 7.
Figs. 5a-5b illustrates schematically a cross sectional view of the top part 11c a top hung roof window 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Certain figure references are omitted to keep simplicity of the figures. Both the sash 2 is here top hinged, and hence the sash is connected at the top part of the sash to the fixation frame 3 by means of the first hinge connection 5.
The hinge 5 comprises a pivot hinge, and comprises (or provides) a rotation axis around which the sash rotates between the positions POS1-POS2. The weather shield 6 rotates together with the sash 4 around the rotation axis or axes provided by the hinge arrangement 5 dependent on the constitution of the first hinge arrangement.
The hinge arrangement 5 comprises a fixed part 5a connected to the fixation frame 3 by means of fixation arrangement such as an adhesive and/or mechanical fasteners such as pop rivets, screws, snap connections and/or the like. The hinge arrangement 5 moreover comprises a second part 5b fixed to the sash by means of a fixation arrangement such as an adhesive and/or mechanical fasteners such as pop rivets, screws, snap connections, extruded profile connections and/or the like. The second part 5b may in embodiments of the present disclosure be fixed to the upper sash wall 8c directly or indirectly, such as to an upper sash part 8c3 extending along, such as substantially parallel to, the outer surface 4b of the insulated glass unit 4. The upper sash wall 8c may enclose a part of the air gap 7. The first and second parts 5a, 5b are movably interconnected to allow that the sash can open outwards from POS1 to POS2 and vice versa, see fig. 6c.
The other weather shield may be fixed to a sash profile/wall 8c3 directly or indirectly by means of an adhesive 66 such as a structural adhesive, e.g. a silicone adhesive. The adhesive 66 in the present example fixates the piece top sash piece 65 to the weather shield 6 and thereby the weather shield is connected to the upper part 8c3, e.g. through a further adhesive connecting the piece 65 to the wall 8c3.
In figs. 5a-5b, a hinge part of the hinge 5 is connected so to say at or on the sash 2, (in the present example on the part 8c3), and the fixed part 5a of the hinge arrangement 5 extends from the fixation frame 5 to the sash 2. In other embodiments, the part of the hinge 5 connecting the sash 2 to the frame 3 may be movable, and the hinge parts 5a, 5b may be connected at/on the frame 3 instead.
The hinge 5 may in embodiments of the present disclosure be provided by means of an extruded hinge arrangement, such as a metal hinge, e.g. an aluminium hinge arrangement to which the sash and/or weather shield is attached by mechanical fasteners and/or an adhesive.
The hinge arrangement may in embodiments of the present disclosure be provided by the lifting system, see e.g. below in relation to figs. 6a-6b.
Figs. 5a-5b moreover illustrates a further embodiment of the present disclosure, where it can be seen that the fixation frame 3 extends into and below the outer plane defined by the roofing 30. As can be seen, the insulated glass unit 4 may extend at least partly below the plane P4 that is defined by the outermost surface(s) of the roof structure, such as the outermost surface of roof rafters (not illustrated) of the roof structure or alternatively outwardly facing surfaces of roof battens (not illustrated) of the roof structure of the building.
The window 1 may in embodiments of the present disclosure be configured to be installed in one or more predefined positions that provides various predefined installation depths of the roof window. These predefined positions may be determined by enclosed installation hardware such as brackets or the like that is configured to be attached to the roof window frame 3 and based on the orientation or constitution of the hardware, the window may be installed in different heights with respect to the roof structure such as roof rafters of the roof structure or alternatively the roof battens (not illustrated). Additionally, or alternatively, the predefined positions may be defined by one or more different predefined grooves or installation holes or elevations in the fixation frame (not illustrated) for receiving or interacting with an installation hardware, e.g. an enclosed installation hardware.
In at least one of the predefined positions at least the interior surface 4a, and possibly also the exterior surface 4b may be configured to be located below the plane P4 defined by the roof rafters and/or the roof battens.
The roofing of the roof structure is arranged with the afore mentioned roof pitch (an) that is preferably larger than 17°, such as larger than 25°, for example larger than 35° compared to horizontal. For example, the roof pitch may be between 17° and 90°, such as between 17° and 85°.
The rotation axes of the sash 2 is preferably placed above the plane defined by the major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit.
As can be seen from figs. 5a-5b, the sash wall 8c of/at the top part of the sash 2 may provide a C or U shape (by means of the wall members 8c1, 8c2, 8c3) whereas the sash walls 8a, 8b at the side may provide a Z shape (not illustrated in fig. 6a-6c) as previously described (see also e.g. figs 2a-2c).
The fixation frame 3 comprises a cover plate member 75 providing a top end cladding device 75 that is stationary and extends in over and thus overlaps a top part 76 of the weather shield 6. The overlapped top part 76 of the weather shield is in the illustrated embodiments of figs. 5a.5b an elongated plate shaped top part that is attached to the exterior weather shield surface 6b. However, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate shaped top part may be omitted and merely replaced with a top part of the major surface 6b itself which may then be overlapped by the top cladding device 75.
The overlapped top part 76 may also in some embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a part of the weather shield connection piece 65 or vice versa.
In figs. 5a-5b, the top cladding 75 and the overlapped top part 76 both comprises overlapping bended lips 75a, 76a that overlaps when the sash is in the closed positions, see fig. a. The stationary lip 75a extends with an angle towards the weather shield and the lip 76a faces the inner surface of the stationary lip 75a when the sash and weather shield are in a closed position.
It is generally understood that a flashing system (not illustrated) may be attached to the fixation frame, or the fixation frame 3 may comprise such a flashing system for water tightness between the fixation frame and the roof structure. A part of the roofing may be arranged to overlap the flashing system.
The hinge arrangement 5 comprises/provides an axis of rotation AX1 for the sash 2 around which the sash is configured to rotate between the open sash position POS1 and the closed sash position POS2. This axis of rotation AX1 is configured to be coinciding with a rotation plane P2 that is located opposite and parallel to the outwardly facing surface 4b of the insulated glass unit 4 when the sash 2 is in the closed sash position. The rotation plane P2 is also or alternatively parallel to the exterior frame plane P1.
The plane P1 may in embodiments of the present disclosure be placed between the surface 4b and the rotation plane P2 as illustrate din fig. 6a. In other embodiments, the rotation plane P2 may be arranged between the exterior frame plane P1 and the exterior major surface 4b of the insulated glass unit. the planes P1, P2 are parallel to each other
The distance D6 between the rotation plane P2 and an exterior frame plane P1 defined by the outermost surfaces of the fixation frame 3 which extends across and over the frame opening provided by the fixation frame may in embodiments of the present disclosure be smaller/shorter than the distance D7 between the outwardly facing surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit and the rotation plane P2. These distances D6, D7 are determined perpendicular to the planes P2, P1.
Figs. 6a-6a Illustrates a lifting system 9 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In fig. 6a, the lifting system 9 is placed in a condition corresponding to that the sash will be in the closed position. In fig. 6b, the lifting system 9 is placed in a condition corresponding to that the sash will be in the open sash position.
the first part 9a of the lifting system 9 comprises one or more springs (9s). This first part is to be connected to the fixation frame of the roof window and extends along a longitudinal frame member of the fixation frame. A lifting force provided by the one or more springs 9s is/are configured to be transferred to a lifting member 9b such as a lifting arm, of the lifting system 9. The lifting member 9b is configured to transfer the lifting force to the sash 2 when the sash is moved from the closed sash position POS1 towards the open sash position POS2. In alternative embodiments the first part 9a can also be connected to the sash and follow the movement of the sash and the lifting member 9b is then configured to transfer the lifting force to the fixation frame 3. Generally when the roof window is closed POS1 the sash 8a2 and fixation frame 3a and lifting system 9 extend longitudinally.
The first part 9a of the lifting system 9 moreover comprises a sledge system 110. This sledge system comprises a sledge 111 which is connected directly or indirectly to the spring 9s, and the one or more springs is/are configured to induce the lifting force 9a onto the sledge. The sledge 111 is configured to be displaced along a sledge guidance part 112. The sledge 111 is directly or indirectly rotationally connected to a first end of the lifting member 9b, and a second end of the lifting member is rotationally connected to a second part of the lifting system in the form of the sash connection device 9c which may e.g. comprise a mounting bracket, of the lifting system. The sash connection device 9c may preferably be rotationally connected to a structure of the first part 9a, such as a part comprising and/or fixed to the sledge guidance part 112. This provides a rotation axis AX2 around which the sash connection device 9c will rotate. The lifting system may be connected to the window by fixating the first part 9a to the frame 3 and the second part 9c to the sash, e.g. so that the rotation axis AX2 substantially coincides with the rotation axis AX1 in figs. 5a-5b. In an alternative the connection device 9c may be provided by a parallelogram hinge or multi-link hinge and the rotation axis AX2 may not need to be fixed.
The sledge 111 is hence configured to transfer the lifting force from the one or more springs 9s to the lifting member 9b and through this lifting member to the sash connection device. As the sash connection device is connected to the sash, the spring(s), which may be pre-tensioned in the closed sash position, will transfer the lifting force to the sash 2 through the lifting member, and hence assure that a human user trying to open the sash 2 will only need to carry a reduced part of the weight of the sash, such as e.g. less than 70%, such as less than 50% or even less than 30% of the weight of the sash 2 when opening the sash when compared to if the lifting system has been removed/omitted. The pre tensioning of the spring(s) may be provided by a compression and/or stretching of the spring(s) so that the spring(s) is/are put in a pre-tensioned condition when the sash is closed.
At least the spring(s) 9s, but also one or more of the sledge 111, the sledge guidance part 112, the lifting member 9b and the sash connection part 9c may be made from a metal such as steel or another suitable strong material. The spring(s) 9s may be made from spring steel or the like.
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the lifting system 9 may comprise or be a lifting system as disclosed in one or more of the patent document US 5, 689, 916 or WO 2019/101279 A1 .
The lifting system 9 is described above where the spring is a mechanical spring such as a coil spring. In other embodiments, the one or more springs 9s may comprise a gas spring. An electric motor drive may also be added to move the sash.
It is generally understood that in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the hinge arrangement 5 and the lifting system 9 may, as e.g. illustrated in figs. 6a-6b, be integrated in the same arrangement, so that the lifting system 9 comprises a part that will act as/provide the hinge arrangement. Additionally or alternatively, the or a hinge arrangement 5 connecting the sash to the frame may be separate to the lifting system, and/or the part 9c and/or the arm 9b may in still further embodiments of the present disclosure be slidably connected to the frame and/or part 9a.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the length of the lifting system, such as the length of the part 9a, may be at least 50% of the length of the side 11a, 11b of the window, such as at least 80% of the length of the side 11a, 11b of the window.
Fig. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Here, view planes 70 are indicated and illustrates that with a roof window according to embodiments of the present disclosure, an increased amount of sunlight to pass through the weather shield 6 and the insulated glass unit 4 (the same applies for the embodiments shown in figs 2a-5b). This is provided by that the aperture for allowing the sunlight pass through the weather shield 6 may be larger than the aperture of the lower part of the frame 3, which is provided between the covering parts 31 of the frame that may provide the minimum frame opening 20a of the window through which sunlight can pass through the window. This is partly achieved by that the fixation frame 3 comprises a lower minimum frame opening between the frame parts 31, and a larger upper frame opening at/near the plane P1 through which the sash 2 extends when in the closed position. The distance between the sash walls 8a2, 8b2 facing the enclosed air gap 7 is hence larger than the distance between the opposing edges 27 of the frame parts 31 defining/enclosing the minimum lower frame opening 20a.
As can be seen from e.g. figs. 4a-4b and fig. 7, the lifting arrangement/system 9 may comprise lifting springs such as mechanical metal springs and/or gas springs arranged at both sides of the window frame which together help to provide the desired lifting force. This may e.g. be provided in order to obtain a more balanced force distribution on the sash by the lifting arrangement. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, just a single spring arrangement may be placed at one side or at the top of the window. It is understood that the spring(s) 9a may be arranged to extend along the side part(s) 3a, 3b and/or along the top part 3c.
While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments or aspects, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments or aspects. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate in scope with the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments or aspects or combinations of the various embodiments or aspects. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

A roof window (1) configured to be installed in a roof structure of a building with a roof arranged with a roof pitch which is larger than 17°, wherein the roof window comprises a sash (2) and a fixation frame (3), wherein the sash (2) is connected to the fixation frame (3) by means of a hinge arrangement (5, AX2) allowing the sash (2) to be moved relative to the fixation frame (3) between a closed sash position (POS1) and an open sash position (POS2),
wherein the sash (2) is a top hung sash and comprises side members (8a, 8b), a top member (8c) and a bottom member which together encircles a sash opening, and wherein an insulated glass unit (4) is installed in and connected to the sash (2), wherein the insulated glass unit (4) comprises a first glass sheet (4a-1) comprising an inwardly facing major surface (4a) for facing the interior of the building and a second glass sheet (4b-1) comprising an outwardly facing major surface (4b) for facing away from the interior of the building, and wherein the insulating glass unit (4) comprises an inert gas or vacuum in a sealed insulating space (14) between the glass sheets (4a-1, 4b-1),
wherein the top hung sash (2) moreover comprises an outer weather shield (6), which is transparent to at least visible light and comprises an interior major surface (6a) and an exterior major surface (6b), wherein the outer weather shield (6) covers the sash opening and wherein an air gap (7) is provided between the interior major surface (6a) of the weather shield (6) and the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4), and wherein the outer weather shield (6) is attached to the sash (2) so as to move together with the sash (2) and the insulated glass unit (4) when the sash (2) is moved between the closed sash position (POS1) and the open sash position (POS2),
wherein the roof window comprises a lifting system (9), wherein a first part (9a) of the lifting system (9) comprising one or more springs (9s) which in the closed sash position (POS1) extends along a longitudinal frame member (3a, 3b, 3c) of the fixation frame (3), wherein a lifting force provided by the one or more springs is/are configured to be transferred to the sash (2) when the sash is moved from the closed sash position (POS1) towards the open sash position (POS2), and
wherein the weather shield (6) extends over and covers elongated parts (3a, 3b, 3c) of the fixation frame (3), and substantially covers the lifting system (9), at least when the sash (2) is arranged in the closed sash position (POS1).
A roof window (1) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more springs (9s) of the lifting system (9) is/are arranged at a location above a first insulated glass unit (IGU) plane (Pa) defined by the inwardly facing major surface (4a) of the insulated glass unit (4) when the sash (2) is in the closed sash position (POS1).
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more springs (9s) of the lifting system is/are arranged at a location above insulated glass unit (IGU) planes (Pc, Pd) defined by surfaces (4c, 4d) of the glass sheets (4a-1, 4b-1) of the insulated glass unit (4) facing and enclosing an insulating space (14) of the insulated glass unit when the sash (2) is in the closed sash position (POS1).
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more springs (9s) of the lifting system (9) is/are arranged at a location above an insulated glass unit (IGU) plane (Pb) defined by the outwardly facing major surface (4a) of the insulated glass unit (4) facing the air gap (7) when the sash (2) is in the closed sash position (POS1).
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more springs of the lifting system (9) is/are arranged opposite to the air gap (7) and a sash wall (8a2, 8b2, 8c2) of the sash (2) when the sash (2) is in the closed sash position (POS1), wherein the sash wall encloses the air gap (7) together with the weather shield (3) and the insulating glass unit (4).
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more springs (9s) comprises one or more coil springs, such as one or more metal coil springs, configured to provide the lifting force originating from stored potential energy of the one or more springs, and/or wherein the lifting system (9) comprises a force adjustment arrangement which is configured to be adjusted so as to adjust the lifting force provided by the lifting system (9) to the sash.
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (9a) of the lifting system is arranged above a heat insulating frame part (3x, 50x) of the fixation frame, wherein the heat insulating frame part (3x, 50x) of the fixation frame overlaps the side edge (4c) of the insulated glass unit (4) when the sash is in the closed sash position (POS1), such as wherein the first part (9a) of the lifting system is attached to the heat insulating frame arrangement (3x, 50x).
A roof window (1) according to claim 7, wherein the heat insulating frame part (3x, 50x) of the fixation frame extends through a plane (Pb) defined by the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulating glass unit (4) when the sash (2) is in the closed sash position (POS1).
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein lower parts (31, 51) of the fixation frame (3) overlaps and visually covers a part of the interior major surface (4a) of the insulated glass unit (4) when the sash (2) is in the closed sash position (POS1), and
wherein said lower parts (31, 51) of the fixation frame (3) extends through a plane (P3) defined by an inwardly facing surface (29) of a sash wall (8a2) of the sash (2) which faces and encloses the air gap (7).
A roof window (1) according to any of claims 7-9, wherein said lower part (31, 51) of the fixation frame (3) and the heat insulating frame part (3x, 50x) are integral parts of the same elongated frame member (3a, 3b, 3c, 50).
A roof window (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said lower parts (31, 51) encloses and defines the minimum frame opening (20a) of the roof window (1) through which light can pass when the sash is in the closed position (POS1).
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance (D1) between the interior major surface (6a) of the weather shield (6) and the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4) is at least 3 cm, such as at least 5 cm, such as at least 10 cm, wherein said distance (D1) is defined perpendicular to one or both major surfaces (4b, 6a),
and/or
wherein the distance (D1) between the interior major surface (6a) of the weather shield (6) and the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4) is no more than 30 cm, such as no more than 20 cm, such as at no more than 10 cm, wherein said distance (D1) is defined perpendicular to one or both of said major surfaces (4b, 6a).
A roof window (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior of the fixation frame (3) defines an exterior frame plane (P1) defined by the outermost surfaces of the fixation frame, and wherein the exterior frame plane (P1) extends across and over the frame opening (20, 20a) which is encircled by frame members (3a-3c) of the frame,
wherein at least a part of the insulated glass unit (4) is configured to move from a position above the exterior frame plane (P1) and into the frame opening (20) when the sash is moved from the open (POS2) to the closed (POS1) sash position, so that the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4) is placed in the frame opening (20) below the exterior frame plane (P1) with a distance (D2) of at least 3 cm from the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4) to the exterior frame plane (P1) when the sash is in the closed sash position, such as with a distance (D2) of at least, 7 cm, such as at least 12 cm to the exterior frame plane (D2).
A roof window (1) according to claim 13, wherein the outer weather shield (6) is maintained at a position above the frame opening (20) and above the exterior frame plane (P1) when the sash (2) is in the closed sash position (POS1) and with a distance (D3) between the interior surface (6a) of the weather shield and the exterior frame plane (P1) which is less than the distance (D2) between the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4) and the exterior frame plane (P1), such as wherein said distance (D3) between the interior surface (6a) of the weather shield and the exterior frame plane (P1) is less than half, such as less than 1/4, or less than 1/8 of the distance (D2) between the outwardly facing major surface (4b) of the insulated glass unit (4) and the exterior frame plane (P1).
A roof window according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the roof window (1) comprises a first and a second of said sash (2) arranged in the fixation frame (3), wherein both of the first and second sashes (2) in the closed sash positions (POS1) are configured to support against a shared elongated frame part (50) of the fixation frame (3), where the shared elongated frame part (50) comprises parts (51) that overlaps an elongated right sash member (8b) of a first of the sashes and moreover overlap an elongated left sash member (8a) of the other sash, at least when the sashes are both placed in the closed sash position (POS1), such as wherein the shared elongated frame part (50) extends in a longitudinal direction which is substantially parallel to longitudinal directions in which the overlapped right and left sash members (8a, 8b) extends.